Chennai Tour Guide - The Capital City of Tamil Nadu Excursion | Sightseeing | Travel Information Chennai, also known as Madras, the fourth largest city in India and the capital of Tamilnadu. The city sprawls over more than 70 square km. The population of Chennai is 5.9 million. Many of the Indian languages are spoken in Chennai, though the main language of Chennai is Tamil. For travelers with an interest in the colonial history of India, Chennai has much worth exploring and abundant transport operations make other parts of the country readily accessible. History For more than 2000 years the area has been popular with seafarers, spice traders and cloth merchants. The 16th century saw the arrival of the Portuguese, followed by the Dutch. In 1693, the British East India Company established a settlement in the fishing village of Madraspatnam. For St. George was constructed over a period of 15 years and finally completed in 1653. George town grew in the area of the fort and was granted its first municipal charter in 1688 by James II, making it the oldest municipality in India.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, French and British traders competed for supremacy in India. In the 19th century, the city became the seat of the Madras presidency, one of the four divisions of British imperial India. After independence, it continue to grow into what is now a significant southern gateway. Money You can change cash and travelers cheques at American Express on the G-17, Spencer Plaza, Anna Salai and at Thomas Cook on its four branches - (i) 45 Ceebros Centre, Montieth road, Egmore (ii) 20 Rajaji Salai, George Town (iii) International Airport (iv) Eldorado Bldg, 112 Nungambakkam High road. The State Bank of India's main branch is on Rajaji Salai in George Town. There are also branches on Anna Salai and at the International and the domestic airport terminals. Several of the banks in Spencer Plaza give cash advances on MasterCard and Visa. Central Bank (Monitech road, Egmore) handles Visa Cards. There are ATM's at Nilgiri's Nest and the Global Trust Bank opposite the New Woodland's Hotel.

Post & Communications The main post office is on Rajaji Salai. There's also a post office in Kennet Lane, near Egmore station, and on Anna Salai. For poste restante it's more convenient to use the Anna Salai post office. The full address is Poste Restante, Anna Salai (Mount road) Post Office, Anna Salai, Chennai. The Anna Salai post office is also the best place to post parcels. It's much less congested than the main post office and there's a super-efficient Professional Parcel Packer. Both the main and the Anna Salai post office have telegraph offices. Alternatively, you can make use of one of the many STD/ ISD /Fax booths around town. Special Events Carnatic Music & Dance held in mid Dec to mid Jan is the best overview of the classical south Indian music & dance and the Kalakshetra Arts Festival is famous for cultural arts, held in Dec/Jan. Book Shops Landmark Books in Apex Plaza (3 Nungambakkam High Rd) has an excellent selection. The popular Higginbothams is at 814 Anna Salai with kiosks at central station and the domestic airport.

The Book point at 160 Anna Salai and the Bookshop in Spencer Plaza are both well stocked. The tiny Giggles bookshop in the Connemara Hotel is definitely worth a visit because it's collection is excellent. Tamil Nadu - Capital South Indian city, capital of the state of Tamil Nadu Also called Madras Chennai (/ˈtʃɛnnaɪ/; formerly known as Madras /məˈdrɑːs/ or /-ˈdræs/) is the capital of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal, it is one of the biggest cultural, economic and educational centres in South India. According to the 2011 Indian census, it is the fourth-largest city and fourth-most populous urban agglomeration in India. …More Chennai (/ˈtʃɛnnaɪ/; formerly known as Madras /məˈdrɑːs/ or /-ˈdræs/) is the capital of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal, it is one of the biggest cultural, economic and educational centres in South India.

According to the 2011 Indian census, it is the fourth-largest city and fourth-most populous urban agglomeration in India. The city together with the adjoining regions constitute the Chennai Metropolitan Area, which is the 36th-largest urban area by population in the world. Chennai is one of the Indian cities most visited by foreign tourists, and is the 47th most visited city in the world. The Quality of Living Survey rated Chennai as the safest city in India. Chennai attracts 45 percent of health tourists visiting India, and 30 to 40 percent of domestic health tourists. As such, it is termed "India's health capital". As a growing metropolitan city in a developing country, Chennai confronts substantial pollution and other logistical and socio-economic problems Chennai has the third-largest expatriate population in India at 35,000 in 2009, 82,790 in 2011 and estimated at over 100,000 by 2016. Tourism guide publisher Lonely Planet named Chennai as one of the top ten cities in the world to visit in 2015.

Chennai is ranked as a beta-level city in the Global Cities Index and was ranked the best city in India by India Today in the 2014 annual Indian city survey. In 2015 Chennai was named the "hottest" city (worth visiting, and worth living in for long term) by the BBC, citing the mixture of both modern and traditional values. National Geographic ranked Chennai's food as second best in the world; it was the only Indian city to feature in the list. Chennai was also named the ninth-best cosmopolitan city in the world by Lonely Planet. In January 2015 the Chennai Metropolitan Area was ranked as the third-largest economy in India, with the third-highest GDP per capita. Chennai has been selected as one of the 100 Indian cities to be developed as a smart city under PM Narendra Modi's flagship Smart Cities Mission. Sister City: Indian state Also called State of Tamil Nadu and State of Tamil Nadu, India Tamil Nadu (/ˈtæmɪl ˈnɑːduː/ TAM-il-NAH-doo; pronunciation ; literally The Land of Tamils or Tamil Country) is one of the 29 states of India.

Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Puducherry and the South Indian states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. …More Tamil Nadu (/ˈtæmɪl ˈnɑːduː/ TAM-il-NAH-doo; pronunciation ; literally The Land of Tamils or Tamil Country) is one of the 29 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Puducherry and the South Indian states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. It is bounded by the Eastern Ghats on the north, by the Nilgiri, the Anamalai Hills, and Kerala on the west, by the Bay of Bengal in the east, by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait on the southeast, and by the Indian Ocean on the south. The state shares a maritime border with the nation of Sri Lanka. Tamil Nadu is the eleventh-largest state in India by area and the sixth-most populous.

The state was ranked sixth among states in India according to the Human Development Index in 2011, with the second-largest state economy. Tamil Nadu is the second largest state economy in India with ₹4,789 billion (US$71 billion) in gross domestic product. Tamil Nadu was ranked as one of the top seven developed states in India based on a "Multidimensional Development Index" in a 2013 report published by the Reserve Bank of India. Its official language is Tamil, which is one of the longest-surviving classical languages in the world. Tamil Nadu is home to many natural resources. In addition, its people have developed and continue classical arts, classical music, and classical literature. Historic buildings and religious sites include Hindu temples of Tamil architecture, hill stations, beach resorts, multi-religious pilgrimage sites, and eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Capital: Guides To Tamil Nadu: Chennai Is The Capital Of The State Home » Indian States » Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu- The State of Temples Tamil Nadu, the state lies in the southernmost region of Indian Peninsula. It shares its boundaries with the south Indian states that include Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.

Chennai, formerly known as Madras is the largest city as well as the Capital of Tamil Nadu. By area, it ranked as the 11th largest state in the country. It is the 6th most populous state with the overall population of 72,147,030 as per 2011 census As per Multidimensional Development Index 2013 report, Tamil Nadu is the third most developed state in the country. Tamil is the official language being spoken in all the regions of the state. Tamil is one of the oldest classical languages that have survived for years. Tamil Nadu is one of the important archeologically important sites as many evidences determine the presence of ancient civilizations in the state.

Specialties of Tamil Nadu: - Points of interest: - Meenakshi Amman Temple , Brihadeeswarar Temple, Marina Beach, Edward Elliot’s Beach, Nilgiri mountain Railway, Guindy Nation Park, Descent of the Ganges, Covelong, Great Living Chola Temple, Dhyanalinga, Kodaikanal lake, Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Suruli Falls, Ooty Lake, Kiliyur Falls, Pamban Bridge, Thiruvalluvar Statue, Anaimalai Hills, Golden Beach (Chennai), Avalanche lake ( Ooty ), Kanyakumari and much more.... Culture The state is known for its rich literature, music, art and dance. Bharata Natyam is the most popular classical dance being performed across the globe by famous artists. Pongal is the prime festival also known as Tamizhar Thirunaal. It is a four days harvest festival being celebrated all over India in the name of Makar Sakranti. More than 88% of the total population in Tamil Nadu follows Hinduism, whereas 6% are Muslims.

Carnatic music is popular among the people of south India as it is one of the classical music forms. Famous musician AR Rahman is from Tamil Nadu and is a double Oscar winner for his contribution to music. Rice and Sambhar are the favorite cuisines of the people of Tamil Nadu. Traditionally, the food is served in the banana leaf and is eaten with the right hand. Geography The southern state of Tamil Nadu is bordered by Andhra Pradesh to the North, Karnataka to the North West and Kerala to the West. Chennai is the Capital as well as the largest city of Tamil Nadu. The state is divided into 32 districts that includes Coimbatore, Kanchipuram, Kanyakumari, Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram, Tiruchirappalli, Theni, Vellore, Tiruvallur, Tiruvannamalai, Viluppuram to name a few. There are five National Parks situated in the state that includes Mukurthi National Park, Sathyamangalamm Tiger Reserve and Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. Several wild life sanctuaries for birds, tigers and elephants are also found in different regions of the state.

There are more than 2000 wild life species lives in different areas of the state. Economy Tamil Nadu is ranked as the 2nd highest economic state in the country. It is the second highest rice producer in India. Fruits such as mango and banana and vegetables including, tomato, onion, drumsticks, eggplant and tapioca are largely grown in the state. Apart from this, the state is the largest producer of marigold, jasmine, rose, chrysanthemum and several other flowers. India’s largest spinning industry is being set up in the state. Many international as well as multinational automobiles companies have invested in the state that includes Renault-Nissan, BMW, Mitsubishi Motors, Ford, Hyundai, TVS Motors, Mahindra and Mahindra, MRF Apollo Tyres, Ashok Leyland, Royal Enfield and many more. With this, the state’s economy has been emerged to a greater extent. Capital: Tamil Nadu | state, India | Britannica.com Tamil Nadu list of cities and towns in India Tamil Nadu, state of India , located in the extreme south of the subcontinent.

It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the east and south and by the states of Kerala to the west, Karnataka (formerly Mysore) to the northwest, and Andhra Pradesh to the north. Enclosed by Tamil Nadu along the north-central coast are the enclaves of Puducherry and Karaikal, both of which are part of Puducherry union territory. The capital is Chennai (Madras), on the coast in the northeastern portion of the state. Time-lapse video of Madurai, a city in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, featuring the … Carl Finkbeiner/visualmondo.com (A Britannica Publishing Partner) Mamallapuram Shore Temple, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Jupiterimages Corporation Tamil Nadu state, India. Tamil Nadu represents the Tamil -speaking area of what was formerly the Madras Presidency of British India. The Tamils are especially proud of their Dravidian language and culture , and they have notably resisted attempts by the central government to make Hindi (an Indo-Aryan language ) the sole national language. While it has an industrial core in Chennai, the state is essentially agricultural.

Area 50,216 square miles (130,058 square km). Pop. (2011) 72,138,958. Land Relief, drainage, and soils Tamil Nadu is divided naturally between the flat country along the eastern coast and the hilly regions in the north and west. The broadest part of the eastern plains is the fertile Kaveri (Cauvery) River delta; farther south are the arid flatlands surrounding the cities of Ramanathapuram and Madurai (Madura). The high peaks of the Western Ghats run along the state’s western border. Various segments of this mountain range— including the Nilgiri , Anaimalai , and Palni hills—have peaks exceeding 8,000 feet (2,400 metres) in elevation. Anai Peak , at 8,842 feet (2,695 metres) in the Anaimalai Hills, is the highest mountain in peninsular India. The lower peaks of the Eastern Ghats and their outliers—locally called the Javadi , Kalrayan, and Shevaroy hills—run through the centre of the region.

Tamil Nadu’s major rivers—the Kaveri , the Ponnaiyar , the Palar , the Vaigai , and the Tambraparni—flow eastward from the inland hills. An oasis on the sandy plain near Mahabalipuram, southeast of Chingleput, Tamil Nadu, India. B.S. Oza/Tom Stack & Associates Gandhi and Indian History Tamil Nadu has several national parks and more than a dozen wildlife and bird sanctuaries. Among the most notable of these protected areas are the Mudlumbai Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park in the Nilgiri Hills and the large Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park at the southern tip of the Western Ghats. These sanctuaries provide a safe habitat for a broad spectrum of fauna, including elephants, gaurs (wild cattle), Nilgiri tahrs (goatlike mammals), wild boars, sloth bears, and various species of deer. Tigers, leopards, and an assortment of primates, including macaques, langurs, and lorises, also inhabit these areas. Venomous king cobras are among the many species of reptiles that make their home in Tamil Nadu.

Woodpeckers and flycatchers are common woodland birds; aquatic birds find a haven at the Vedantangal sanctuary in the south-central part of the state. People Economy Agriculture, fishing, and forestry Agriculture is the mainstay of life for about half the working population of Tamil Nadu. Since very early times, Tamil farmers have skillfully conserved scarce rainwater in small and large irrigation reservoirs, or “tanks.” Government canals, tube wells, and ordinary wells also form part of the irrigation system. Because several of the river valley projects depend for water on rain brought by the erratic northeast monsoon , the government also taps subsoil water sources. Agricultural practices have shown radical improvement since the mid-20th century through multiple cropping, the use of stronger and more productive strains of staple crops, and the application of chemical fertilizers; since the late 1960s the state has been self-sufficient in the production of food grains. The principal crops for domestic consumption are rice, millet, and other cereals, as well as peanuts (groundnuts) and pulses (such as chickpeas); sugarcane , cotton, cashews, and chilies are important cash crops.

Many farmers in Tamil Nadu also raise livestock, primarily cows (especially for the dairy industry), poultry , goats, and sheep. Tamil Nadu is one of India’s top fish producers, with most of the yield coming from marine operations, although there also are many inland fisheries. In addition, the state has an active forestry sector, with pulpwood, babul (a type of acacia that yields valuable tannin), firewood, bamboo, and teak among the primary products. Rubber, grown largely in plantations, is important as well. Resources and power Open Door policy Two of India’s major seaports are located in Tamil Nadu—in the north at Chennai and in the south at Tuticorin . The international airport at Meenambakkam, near Chennai, is one of the largest airports in India. Domestic flights are available from a number of other cities, including Madurai , Coimbatore , and Tuticorin; the airport at Tiruchchirappalli offers domestic and limited international service. Government and society Constitutional framework The structure of the government of Tamil Nadu, like that of most other states of India , is determined by the national constitution of 1950.

The head of state is the governor, who is appointed by the president of India. The governor is aided and advised by the Council of Ministers, which is led by a chief minister and is responsible to the elected unicameral Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha). Most of the ministries are housed in the 17th-century Fort St. George in Chennai . The state’s judiciary is headed by the High Court in Chennai (Madras High Court), which has original jurisdiction for the city and appellate jurisdiction for the state; the High Court also may hear original cases of an extraordinary nature from other parts of Tamil Nadu. A bench of the High Court is located in Madurai. Lower courts include district and sessions courts, magistrates’ courts, and munsifs’ (subordinate judicial officers’) courts. The state is divided into more than two dozen administrative districts, each administered by a district collector. Lower administrative and revenue units are called talukas, firkas, and villages. Panchayats (village councils) are responsible for local self-government and rural development. Health The medical needs of Tamil Nadu’s population are served by a large number of public and private hospitals, dispensaries, and primary health centres.

Allopathic (Western), Ayurvedic and Siddha (traditional Indian), Unanī (a Muslim system using prescribed herbs and shrubs), and homeopathic medical treatments are all recognized and supported by the government and are available throughout the state. Among Tamil Nadu’s primary health concerns are cholera , malaria , filariasis (disease caused by infestation of the blood and tissues by parasitic worms), and HIV/AIDS infection. The state has largely brought leprosy under control, although thousands of cases are still treated annually. Various government agencies sponsor programs to improve the housing, education, and economic status of the Scheduled Castes and other traditionally disadvantaged groups. The state also provides assistance to women, children, and people with disabilities. A special insurance program is available for those with autism, cerebral palsy, and other developmental disabilities. Education Tens of thousands of public and private primary, middle, and high schools are scattered across the state of Tamil Nadu. In addition, there are numerous arts and science colleges, medical colleges, engineering colleges, polytechnic institutes, and industrial training institutes.

Among the most prominent of Tamil Nadu’s universities are the University of Madras (1857) and Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (1989), both in Chennai , Annamalai University (1929) in Chidambaram ; Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (1971) in Coimbatore ; and Madurai Kamaraj University (1966) in Madurai . The Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha (1918) in Chennai and the Gandhigram Rural University (1956) in Gandhigram, in southwest-central Tamil Nadu, are the two institutes of national importance that are engaged in popularizing the Hindi language and Mahatma Gandhi ’s concept of rural higher education, respectively. Tamil University (1981) near Thanjavur (Tanjore), in the eastern part of the state, focuses on the study of Tamil language , literature , and culture. Cultural life Cultural milieu Hinduism lies at the core of the culture of Tamil Nadu.

Among the most famous of the state’s temples, which number in the tens of thousands, are the 7th- and 8th-century structures at Mamallapura , which were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. The gopurams, or gateway towers, of such temples are dominant in most towns, particularly Chidambaram , Kanchipuram , Thanjavur , Madurai , and the Srirangam pilgrimage centre in Tiruchchirappalli. The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Administration Department is responsible for the administration of the state’s temples and sanctuaries. The Shore Temple at Mamallapuram, also called Mahabalipuram or Seven Pagodas, in Tamil Nadu, India. G. Nimatallah/DeA Picture Library The cycle of temple festivals attracts large congregations of devotees. Noteworthy also are the car festivals, during which large chariots decorated with religious icons are taken in procession around the temple.

In addition, Tamil Nadu is scattered with sectarian monastic institutions, or matha s—of which the most important are the Shankara Matha at Kumbakonam and the Vaishnava compound at Srirangam—which hold various activities; Hindu families typically owe allegiance to a number of such institutions. The arts Bharata natyam , one of India’s major classical dance forms, and Karnatak music (South Indian classical music) are both widely practiced. Painting and sculpture are less prominent, although there are schools that teach the art of sculpture in stone and bronze. Tamil literature rapidly adopted the Western literary forms of the novel and the short story. The poet Subrahmanya Bharati (1882–1921) was one of the first to modify traditional Tamil poetry by blending popular and scholastic literary styles. Motion pictures are the most prevalent form of mass entertainment. There are both touring and permanent movie theatres, and sentimental and spectacular films, often featuring music and dancing, are produced by the film studios situated largely around Chennai.

Carved figures on a tower gate of the Meenakshi Amman (Minakshi-Sundareshwara) Temple, Madurai, … Picturepoint, London Musical ensemble consisting of cymbals, a nagaswaram (a double-reed … © Image Library /Heritage-Images Media and publishing Hundreds of periodicals are published in Tamil , most of them daily newspapers. The Dina Thanthi is the leading paper. Among English newspapers, The Hindu of Chennai is widely read and is respected for its high standard of journalism. History The history of Tamil Nadu begins with the establishment of a trinity of Tamil powers in the region—namely, the Chera , Chola , and Pandya kingdoms—all of which are of unknown antiquity. These kingdoms enjoyed diplomatic and trade relations with distant lands. The Pandyas were mentioned in Greek literature dating to the 4th century bce, and in the 4th century ce, the Roman emperor Julian welcomed a Pandyan embassy. Meanwhile, the Chera dynasty cultivated a flourishing trade with western Asia.

From the mid-6th century until the 9th century, the Chalukyas of Badami , the Pallavas of Kanchi (now Kanchipuram ), and the Pandyas of Madurai fought a long series of wars in the region. The period, nonetheless, was marked by a revival of Hinduism and the advance of the fine arts. From about 850, Tamil Nadu was dominated by the Cholas, of whom Rajendrachola Deva I (reigned 1014–44) was the most distinguished ruler. In the mid-14th century, the Hindu kingdom of Vijayanagar , which included all of Tamil Nadu, came into prominence. During the 300 years of Vijayanagar rule, Telugu -speaking governors and officials were introduced in the administration. Nandi bull, Gangakondacholapuram Temple, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India. E&E Image Library/Heritage-Images Ruins of the fortress at Jinji, Tamil Nadu, India.

© Nickolay Stanev/Shutterstock.com In 1640 the East India Company of England opened a trading post at the fishing village of Madraspatnam (now Chennai ) with the permission of the local ruler. The history of Tamil Nadu from the mid-17th century to 1946 is the story of the British-controlled Madras Presidency in relationship to the rise and fall of British power in India. After Indian independence in 1947, the Madras Presidency became Madras state. The state’s Telugu-speaking areas were separated to form part of the new state of Andhra Pradesh in 1953. In 1956 Madras was divided further, with some areas going to the new state of Kerala and other areas becoming part of Mysore (now Karnataka ). What remained of Madras state was renamed Tamil Nadu in 1968. Memorial to Mohandas K. Gandhi at Kanniyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India. Tony Jones Tamil Nadu - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up) The Indian state of Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the country.

It is bounded by the Indian Ocean on the east and south and the Indian states of Kerala on the west, Karnataka on the northwest, and Andhra Pradesh on the north. Along its north-central coast Tamil Nadu surrounds two enclaves that are part of the Indian union territory of Puducherry. The state has an area of 50,216 square miles (130,058 square kilometers). The capital, Chennai (Madras), is one of the largest cities in India. Other major urban centers in Tamil Nadu include Coimbatore, Madurai, and Tiruchchirappalli. Although it is one of the country’s most urbanized states, roughly half of its people live in rural areas.

Article Contributors Heaviest daily downpour in a century paralyses India's Tamil Nadu and state capital Chennai - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) Heaviest daily downpour in a century paralyses India's Tamil Nadu and state capital Chennai Updated December 03, 2015 17:58:19 The heaviest rainfall in over a century has caused massive flooding across the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, driving thousands from their homes, shutting auto factories and paralysing the airport in the state capital, Chennai. Key points: Tamil Nadu records heaviest 24-hour downpour in a century Torrential rains to continue for three more days, forecaster says Chennai airport closed until December 6 The national weather office predicted three more days of torrential downpours in the southern state of nearly 70 million people. "There will be no respite," Laxman Singh Rathore of the India Meteorological Department said. Many parts of the state were expecting more than a metre of rain , an official in the Indian Meteorological Department said. No deaths were reported in the latest floods, but there have been 150 deaths in Tamil Nadu since heavy rain set in on November 12.

More than 700 people have received critical injuries over the past 24 hours in Chennai, a senior federal official said. Airlines suspended flights into Chennai's flooded international airport, causing wider disruption to air travel. Authorities later decided to close the airport until December 6. External Link: chennai airport tweet "The biggest challenge is to find a way to clear the inundated airport and main roads," said Anurag Gupta at the National Disaster Management Authority in New Delhi. "We want to do everything but the problem is beyond our control. The airport is flooded, train networks have collapsed and the weather is still not conducive," home ministry spokesman KS Dhatwalia said in New Delhi. Most mobile networks were down in Chennai — India's fourth most populous city and a major auto manufacturing and IT outsourcing hub — and food supplies running low. Mr Dhatwalia said the priority was to repair phone networks, distribute drinking water, medicines, food for infants and prevent the spread of water-borne diseases. But new flooding problems continue to remain a concern with additional rainfall of 100-200 millimetres predicted from Thursday through Sunday.

Physician Rupam Choudhury said he and a friend had to wade through neck-deep water to reach high ground from where an army truck brought him to work at a hospital in the heart of Chennai. The Dr A Ramachandran's Diabetes Hospital was running out of oxygen for patients and diesel for power generators, Mr Choudhury said. Ford Motor, Daimler, Hyundai and Nissan told workers to stay at home, while US-listed outsourcing firm Cognizant shut its 11 local offices. El Nino amplifying seasonal monsoons Authorities said more than a million people were affected by the flooding, with some residents bemoaning the slow response of the relief teams. A major relief effort by 5,000 soldiers was promised within 24 hours. "The entire state machinery has collapsed. Most officials are forced to sit at home. It's a very frustrating situation," said a home ministry official who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media. Hundreds of divers and army rescue teams entered inundated homes, taking the injured to hospital.

In what has thus far been a limited initial relief effort, four helicopters dropped food, water and medicines, while fishing boats commandeered by the military were collecting stranded residents. Firefighters from around Tamil Nadu have been pressed into service. Photo: Army personnel engaged in rescue operations in Chennai. (Supplied: NDTV) Prime minister Narendra Modi has blamed climate change for the deluge, injecting urgency into the debate at global climate talks in Paris and highlighting the vulnerability of tropical nations like India to extreme weather . But weather experts say the seasonal north-east monsoon was mostly responsible for the flooding in the city of six million, amplified this year by El Nino, a warming of the eastern Pacific Ocean that can have far-reaching climate effects. Tamil Nadu is a major rice and sugar cane producing region, and a senior member of a local farmers' association said floods had washed out up to four agricultural districts. Reuters First posted December 03, 2015 15:44:02 Top Stories Tamil Nadu State | Article about Tamil Nadu State by The Free Dictionary Tamil Nadu State | Article about Tamil Nadu State by The Free Dictionary Also found in: Dictionary , Thesaurus , Wikipedia .

Tamil Nadu (tăm`əl nä`do͞o), formerly Madras (mədrăs`, mədräs`), state (2001 provisional pop. 62,110,839), 50,180 sq mi (129,966 sq km), SE India, on the Bay of Bengal. The capital is Chennai Chennai , formerly Madras , city (1991 pop. 5,421,985), capital of Tamil Nadu state, SE India, on the Bay of Bengal. A commercial, railway, and manufacturing center, Chennai has large textile mills, chemical plants, and tanneries and is the main center of India's ..... Click the link for more information. (formerly Madras). On a low-lying plain bounded by the Eastern Ghats in the north and Nilgiri and Anai Malai Hills on the west, the state has large fertile areas along the Coromandel Coast, the Palk Strait, and the Gulf of Mannar. Agriculture is the chief occupation.

The main industries are food processing and the manufacture of cotton and silk cloth; madras, a uniquely dyed cloth, is the most famous product. There are irrigation canals and hydroelectric stations along the Kaveri River and a nuclear power plant. An extensive rail network linking Madras and the coastal cities with inland areas facilitates overseas trade. Most of the population is of Dravidian stock, speaks Tamil, and practices Hinduism. An ancient center of Dravidian culture, the region has the finest remaining examples of S Indian art and architecture. Coastal areas of the state, particularly along the Coromandel Coast, suffered destruction and lost of life from the Dec., 2004, Indian Ocean tsunami. Tamil Nadu is governed by a chief minister and cabinet responsible to a unicameral legislature and by a governor appointed by the president of India. Tamil Nadu was the seat of the Chola Chola , S Indian dynasty, whose kingdom was in what is now Tamil Nadu. Its chief capitals were at Kanchi (Kanchipuram) and Thanjavur (Tanjore). The Chola kingdom was one of the three of ancient Tamil tradition, but the dynasty had been virtually submerged for centuries when at .....

Click the link for more information. empire (10th–13th cent.). Muslims swept away the Hindu Vijayanagar Vijayanagar [Sanskrit,=city of victory], ruined city, SE India. It was the capital (14th–16th cent.) of the Hindu Vijayanagar empire, which embraced all India S of the Kistna River and shielded S India from the Muslim kingdoms of the north. ..... Click the link for more information. kingdom in the 16th cent. and controlled the area for about a century. The Portuguese established trading posts in the 16th cent., followed by the Dutch, French, and British in the early 17th cent. After a struggle (1741–63) with the French and with Haidar Ali Haidar Ali or Hyder Ali , 1722–82, Indian ruler. A Muslim of peasant stock, he rose by military brilliance to command the army of the Hindu state of Mysore. ..... Click the link for more information.

and Tippoo Sahib Tippoo Sahib or Tipu Sahib , 1749–99, Indian ruler, sultan of Mysore (1782–99); son and successor of Haidar Ali. He fought in his father's campaigns against the Marathas and the British but, after his succession, made peace with the British in 1784. ..... Click the link for more information. , the British emerged victorious. Under Great Britain, the territory controlled from Madras city was considerably enlarged. After independence its Telugu-speaking areas were transferred to Andhra Pradesh in 1953, and in 1956 the Kannada-speaking areas were transferred to Mysore (now Karnataka), and the Malayalam areas to Kerala. In 1969 the name of the state was changed from Madras to Tamil Nadu. The Tamils of Tamil Nadu have provided logistical support for the guerrillas trying to establish an independent Tamil state in an area covering the Jaffna Jaffna , peninsula, northernmost part of Sri Lanka, separated from India by Palk Strait. The peninsula is densely inhabited, largely by Tamil-speaking people.

Jaffna suffered under the Portuguese and Dutch occupations of the 17th–18th cent. ..... Click the link for more information. peninsula and E Sri Lanka, and some Tamils support the idea of an independent homeland consisting of Tamil Nadu and the Tamil-speaking areas of Sri Lanka and the neighboring Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala. Tamil Nadu (until 1969, Madras State), a state in South India, on the Bay of Bengal of the Indian Ocean. Area, 130,000 sq km. Population, 41.1 million (1971), mainly Tamils. The capital is the city of Madras. Tamil Nadu occupies an alluvial maritime plain in the extreme southeast of the Indian peninsula (the Coromandel Coast) and the southern edge of the Deccan Plateau. To the west, Tamil Nadu is bounded by the Nilgiri and Cardamom hills, which reach 2,500 m in elevation. Tamil Nadu has a rainy tropical climate. Annual precipitation totals 600–1,200 mm, reaching 2,500 mm in the mountains.

In the maritime regions the maximum precipitation occurs from October to December, and in the interior, in July. The Cauvery is the largest river in the state. The flora consists mainly of deciduous tropical forests, which cover about 15 percent of the land area. Tamil Nadu is one of the most densely populated states in India, with more than 300 people per sq km. The population is engaged mainly in agriculture, the largest branch of which is farming. There are approximately 7 million hectares under cultivation, 2 million of which are irrigated by means of canals and tanks. Most of the sown land is used for food crops, including rice, wheat, corn, jovar and bajara millet, legumes, and vegetables. The most important cash crops are peanuts, cotton, sugarcane, tobacco, rubber, coffee, tea, spices, and coconut palm. Peanuts occupy 10 percent of the sown area, and Tamil Nadu harvests more peanuts than any other state in India. Cotton occupies 6–7 percent of the sown area; the interior of Tamil Nadu is one of the leading cotton-growing regions of India.

The most important sectors of stock raising are cattle raising (approximately 14 million head, mainly in the Deccan Plateau), sheep raising (about 7 million), and goats; some farms engage in pedigree stock breeding. Other enterprises in Tamil Nadu are fishing, logging, and the manufacture of table salt from seawater. Lignite, bauxite, and magnesite are mined near Salem. The most important manufacturing industry is the textile industry, which produces cotton fabric and thread; the main centers are the cities of Coimbatore and Madurai. The food industry produces sugar, vegetable oils, and tobacco products. The leather industry processes hides and manufactures leather and leather goods. Products of the machine-building industry include textile machinery, motorcycles, tractors, electrical equipment, and radio-electronics equipment. There is a ferrous metallurgy industry. Tamil Nadu is a major producer of construction materials, mainly cement. In the 1960’s and 1970’s, the Neiueli coal-mining, chemical, and petroleum-refining complex was built with Soviet aid, as was an aluminum plant in Mettur. Cottage industries produce goods made of leather, metal, and silk.

The chief industrial center and port is the city of Madras; Tuttukkudi is another seaport. Tamil Nadu is named for the historical region in India where the Tamils settled. A. I. M Tamil Nadu | Tamil Nadu Government Portal Tamil History And Geography The State of Tamil Nadu has a hoary antiquity. Though early sangam classics throw historical references, we pass to recorded history only from the Pallavas. The southern states of India were under the hegemony of the Cholas, the Cheras and the Pandyas for centuries. The Pallavas held supremacy from about the second quarter of the fourth century A.D. They were the originators of the famous Dravidian style of temple architecture. The last Pallava ruler was Aparajita, in whose reign the later Cholas under Vijayalaya and Aditya asserted themselves by about the 10th century. At the end of the 11th century, Tamil Nadu was ruled by several dynasties like the Chalukyas, Cholas and Pandyas. In the two centuries that followed, the imperial Cholas gained paramountcy over South India.

Muslims gradually strengthened their position, which led to the establishment of the Bahamani Sultanate, by the middle of the 14th century. At the same time, the Vijayanagar Kingdom quickly consolidated itself and extended its sway over the whole of South India, and at the close of the century, Vijayanagar became the supreme power in South. However, it crumbled at the battle of Talikota in 1564 to the confederate forces of the Deccan Sultans. Even during the period of the tumultuous confusion that followed the battle of Talikota, European commercial interest had appeared as rivals in the area of South India. The Portuguese, the Dutch, the French and the English came in quick succession and established trading centres known as 'Factories'. East India Company, which had established its factory at Masulipatnam (now in Andhra Pradesh) in 1611, gradually annexed territories by encouraging enmity among the native rulers. Tamil Nadu was one of the first of British settlements in India. The State is the successor to the old Madras Presidency, which covered the bulk of the southern peninsula in 1901.

The composite Madras State was later reorganised, and the present Tamil Nadu was formed. Tamil Nadu is bounded on north by Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, on the west by Kerala, on the east by the Bay of Bengal, and on the south by the Indian Ocean. Administrative units of state 234 Agriculture Agriculture is the major occupation in Tamilnadu. The total cultivated area in the State was 56.10 million hectares in 2007-08. The principal food crops include paddy, millets and pulses. Commercial crops include sugarcane, cotton, sunflower, coconut, cashew, chillies, gingelly and groundnut. Plantation crops are tea, coffee, cardamom and rubber. Major forest produces are timber, sandalwood, pulp wood and fuel wood. Tamilnadu occupies a premier position in the production and extensive application of bio-fertilizers. Efforts are on to improve farming technologies so as to increase yields in the low rainfall areas of the State. Annual food grains production in the year 2007-08 was 100.35 lakh mt.

Industry and Minerals Major Industries in the State are cotton, heavy commercial vehicles, auto components, railway coaches, power pumps, leather tanning industries, cement, sugar, paper, automobiles and safety matches. Knowledge based industries like I.T. and Biotechnology have become the thrust area in the industrial scene in Tamilnadu. TIDEL, a software technology park, has been established in Tharamani, Chennai. The Software export from the State which was Rs. 20,700 crores in 2006-07 is expected to cross Rs. 25,000 crores in 2007-08. Top I.T. and Telecom companies such as Nokia, Motorola, Foxcon, Flextronic and Dell have commenced production. Global auto majors Hyundai Motors, Ford, Hindustan Motors and Mitsubishi have commenced production plants. Ashok Leyland and TAFE have set up expansion plants in Chennai. Main mineral wealth of the state is granite, lignite and limestone. The state is an important exporter of tanned skin and leather goods, yarn, tea, coffee, spices, engineering goods, tobacco, handicrafts and black granite.

Tamil Nadu contributes to 60 per cent of the tannery industry in India. Irrigation Important irrigation schemes and modernisation of existing Periyar Vaigai System, Palar Basin System and Parambikulam-Aliyar System besides the minor system in Vellar, Pennayar, Araniyar Amaravathi, Chithar basins totaling, an extent of six lakh acres of existing ayacut in Tamil Nadu have been benefited by implementing the 'System Improvement and Farmers Turnover Projects' executed with assistance from World Bank. The major irrigation system covering one-third of irrigated extent in Tamil Nadu, namely tank irrigation system has been given due regard for development under WRCP, and 620 tanks maintained by Public Works Department falling under Palar, Vaigai, and Tamaraparani Basins have been taken up for rehabilitation and improvement. The State has become the pioneer State to implement the system of 'River basin management' by an individual body consisting of officials and farmers besides various representatives of the basin. To start with, Basin Management Boards have been formed for Palar and Tamaraparani basins. Power The total installed capacity for electricity in the State is 8,249 MW.

The installed capacity of State Sector is 5,288 MW, and that of Private Sector is 1,058 MW. Apart from this, 1,903 MW is available as share from Central Sector. Transport Roads: The length of roads network in Tamil Nadu is 1, 93,918 km. Railways: The total length of railways is 4,181 km, the main junctions being Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchirapalli, Coimbatore and Tirunelveli. Aviation: Chennai being the international airport in the southern region is the main centre of airline routes. Besides, there are airports at Tiruchirapalli, Madurai, Coimbatore and Salem. Ports: Major ports in the State are Chennai and Tuticorin. There are seven other minor ports including Cuddalore and Nagapattinam. Festivals Bharatnatyam Dance Pongal is the harvest festival celebrated by the farmers in January to worship the sun, the earth and the cattle as thanks giving for a bounteous harvest.

Pongal festival is followed by the Jallikattu-Bull fight, in some parts of southern Tamil Nadu. Alanganallur in Tamil Nadu is internationally famous for Jallikattu - Bull fight. Chithirai festival, Madurai brings a spectacular re-enactment of the marriage of the Pandiyan princess Meenakshi to Lord Sundareswarar. Adipperukku is a festival celebrated on the 18th day of Tamil month, Adi, on the banks of rivers. It marks the commencement of new farming operations. Dance Festival, Mamallapuram, which is set before an open air stage, created 13 centuries ago the incredible monolithic rock sculptures of the Pallavas, next to the sea in this ancient city of Mamallapuram. Bharatha Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, and Odissi are some dance forms presented by the very best exponents of the art besides folk dances. At the Natyanjali Dance Festival, the temple city of Chidambaram pays special tribute to Lord Nataraja the 'Cosmic Dancer'.

Mahamagam Festival is a holy festival that brings pilgrims to Kumbakonam once in 12 years - the temple city that gets its name from Kumbha - the divine pot. The summer festival is held every year in the 'Queen of Hill Stations', the evergreen Ooty, the exquisite Kodaikkanal or the salubrious heights of Yercaud. Kanthuri Festival is a truly secular festival, where devotees flock to the shrine of saint Quadirwali. One of the descendants of the Saint is chosen as a Peer or spiritual leader, and is honoured with offerings. On the tenth day of the festival, the Saint's tomb is anointed with sandalwood, and later the holy sandal paste is distributed to everyone. Wondrous legends surround the church, the most famous being that of the ship wrecked Portuguese sailors, who in the 16th century, vowed to build a great shrine for the Virgin Mary, for saving their lives in a terrible storm. The Velankanni festival attracts thousands, clad in orange robes to the sacred spot where the ship landed. Equally famous are the Virgin Mary's miraculous healing powers, earning for the church the name 'Lourdes of the East'.

The Navarathiri Festival, literally means the festival of 'nine nights', taking unique and different forms in different states of India, all to propitiate the goddess Sakthi, for power, wealth and knowledge. Rows of glittering earthen lamps outside every home and joyous burst of fire crackers mark Tamil Nadu's Festival of lights, Karthigai Deepam. In December, Chennai celebrates her priceless heritage of carnatic music and dance at its Music Festival to present a galaxy of star artistes, old and new. Tourist Centres Tamil Nadu State Tamil Nadu State Railway Stations in Tamil Nadu Tirumullaivayil Tamil Nadu is the land of Dravidians civilizations, situated at the delta of River Cauveri and Tamraparni. The capital of Tamil Nadu is Chennai. Even before2000 BC beside coastal Tamil Nadu and Andhra was under the Chola Dynasty. It was known as Madras Presidency. Tamil language and literature flourished during the Pandyas and Pallavas reign. Tamil Nadu is also called a land of temples which are spread over almost all towns and cities of South India.

These temples, set up in the 7th- 15th century, are veritable small kingdoms of their own. There are many gates followed by a slew of courtyards before one can get in the temple proper. The largest temple is located at Srirangam and second largest at Gangaiconda- Cholapuram constructed by Vijaynagar kings in the 13th century. There are 1000 pillar hall rooms and holy water bodies in almost every temple. Pongal is the national festival of Tamil Nadu. Bharatnatyam (Dance) and Karnataki music have earned appreciation world over. The first Indian Language book was printed in Tamil Language. It is claimed that Tamil language is richer than Hindi. Chennai or Madras has come up at the second biggest sea beach of the world, Marina Beach. Moreover there are beautiful hill stations in this state such as Ooty, Kodai, Coonoor. The wide range of wild life sanctuary has also attracted tourists in the south for long. Chennai has many places that attract tourists from all the corners.

It has Fort William that reminds people of the 300 years of East India Company and subsequent direct rule of British crown in India. It has British articles such as Royal Navy Swords, firearms, helmets documents, manuscripts and letters of Clive. On the southern side of the State Assembly stands St. Mary Church, the first Anglican Church in the east. Marina is the biggest attraction of the tourist in Chennai. Kannyakumari is also an attractive city of Tamil Nadu. This is an important tourist spot in the country. It is lashed by the waters of Bay of Bengal in the left side, Arabian Sea on the right and Indian Ocean in front. The beautiful Kannyakumari temple of Goddess Kumari at the confluence of the sea reminds legends. Gandhi Mandapam, the ashes of Ghandhiji was immersed here and a memorial building has been constructed in honour of the Father of the Nation. Tiruparankundram Temple, in South of Madurai is another prime attraction of this place. The idol of God Subramhanya, Ganesh, and Goddess Durga is present here.

At the end of the Town Hall Road stands a spectacular Meenakshi Temple in the old town of Madurai. This structure shows the height of sculptural and architectural qualities the Dravidians acquire in the glorious past. Maduria is called the Athens of India. Demography- The percentage of Indian population living in Tamil Nadu is 6.05%. The main language of Tamil Nadu is Tamil but people also speak Malayalam, Telugu and English. People of Tamil Nadu are involved in different professions. Most of the people in Tamil Nadu follow Hinduism. It is the third largest economy among the all Indian states. Climate- The day temperatures vary from between 19.8C- 32C even during the winter time. This goes up to 21.1C to 37C in summer. It crosses the 40C mark in May- June as the state falls along the line of Tropic and Cancer. Coastal area is quite humid. Monsoon comes to Tamil Nadu twice in a year. Heavy Rainfall occurs in October- December. The ideal time to visit the place is from December- March. *******

Question: What is the capital of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu?
Answer: CHENNAI